Anticipating a joyful holiday in Albuquerque? Our guide has all the festive activities you need! From Albuquerque natives to seasonal visitors, our guide ensures you don't miss a moment of yuletide joy.
The Albuquerque Old Town Holiday Stroll invites families and friends to enjoy shopping, dining, and live entertainment in a beautifully decorated historic setting. The Santa Fe Plaza Winter Markets showcase handcrafted goods and seasonal treats, emphasizing the region's vibrant culture. And the Ruidoso Festival of Lights is something you definitely don't want to miss, featuring stunning light displays and community festivities. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Albuquerque
- Albuquerque Old Town Holiday Stroll
- Santa Fe Plaza Winter Markets (Santa Fe)
- Ruidoso Festival of Lights (Ruidoso)
- Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway Winter Activities
- Albuquerque Museum Holiday Festivities
- Albuquerque Holiday Lights
- Christmas on the Pecos (Carlsbad)
- Santa Fe Holiday Lights (Santa Fe)
- Taos Holiday Lights (Taos)
- Carlsbad Holiday Shopping (Carlsbad)
See these and even more events listed below!
Albuquerque Holiday Light Displays
Ruidoso Festival of Lights
What to Expect:
Community-driven holiday celebration with a toy drive.
Description:
The Ruidoso Festival of Lights Parade features a beautifully lit procession through Midtown, themed around Christmas songs. Following the parade, attendees can enjoy a free after-party at Wingfield Park with food, drinks, winter activities, fire pits for roasting marshmallows, and an outdoor movie on the big screen. Santa will be available for hand photos. The event supports Toys for Tots by encouraging donations of new, unwrapped toys.
Where: Ruidoso | More Info: Ruidoso Festival of Lights
Albuquerque Holiday Lights
What to Expect:
Hand-welded light displays and animated sculptures.
Description:
Explore over 800 hand-welded light displays and animated sculptures in a 1.5-mile path through the ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden, featuring millions of twinkling lights.
Where: Albuquerque | More Info: Albuquerque Holiday Lights
Santa Fe Holiday Lights
What to Expect:
Santa and Mrs. Claus arrival by vintage fire truck.
Description:
The Santa Fe Holiday Lights event features the annual lighting of the Santa Fe Plaza, accompanied by music, hot cocoa, and cookies. Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive by vintage fire truck, marking the official start of the holiday season.
Where: Santa Fe | More Info: Santa Fe Holiday Lights
Taos Holiday Lights
What to Expect:
Traditional farolitos and luminarias illuminate historic Taos streets.
Description:
Taos Holiday Lights feature historic streets lined with candle-lit farolitos and luminarias, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere amidst the snow-covered adobe shops and homes.
Where: Taos | More Info: Taos Holiday Lights
Albuquerque Holiday Markets and Shopping
Albuquerque Old Town Holiday Stroll
What to Expect:
Thousands of luminarias light up the streets.
Description:
The Albuquerque Old Town Holiday Stroll is a festive event where local performers fill the streets, and you can check off your holiday shopping list while discovering new stores and visiting familiar staples in the beautifully illuminated heart of Albuquerque.
Where: Albuquerque | More Info: Albuquerque Old Town Holiday Stroll
Santa Fe Plaza Winter Markets
What to Expect:
Unique opportunity to acquire exceptional Native American art.
Description:
The Santa Fe Plaza Winter Markets offer a unique opportunity to experience exceptional Native American art, culture, and holiday shopping. Visitors can chat with top Native American artists, learn about their work, and take home distinguished gifts.
Where: Santa Fe | More Info: Santa Fe Plaza Winter Markets
Albuquerque Holiday Shopping
What to Expect:
Beautifully illuminated streets with local performers.
Description:
The Old Town Holiday Stroll in Albuquerque offers a festive atmosphere with local performers, beautifully illuminated streets, and opportunities to discover new stores and visit familiar staples for holiday shopping.
Where: Albuquerque | More Info: Albuquerque Holiday Shopping
Santa Fe Holiday Shopping
What to Expect:
Exceptional Native American art acquisition.
Description:
The Santa Fe Holiday Shopping event offers a unique opportunity to acquire exceptional Native American art directly from top artists, fostering cultural heritage and artistic excellence.
Where: Santa Fe | More Info: Santa Fe Holiday Shopping
Taos Holiday Shopping
What to Expect:
Local artisans selling handmade crafts and gifts.
Description:
Taos Holiday Shopping offers a variety of unique gifts and seasonal items from local artisans, including handmade crafts, jewelry, winter wear, and home decor.
Where: Taos | More Info: Taos Holiday Shopping
Carlsbad Holiday Shopping
What to Expect:
Supporting local artisans and small businesses.
Description:
The Carlsbad Holiday Market is a festive gathering of local craft makers and vendors selling unique handmade gifts, including food, accessories, and home decor items. Shoppers will enjoy a festival street fair atmosphere while supporting small local businesses and philanthropic activities.
Where: Carlsbad | More Info: Carlsbad Holiday Shopping
Albuquerque Other Holiday Activities
Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway Winter Activities
What to Expect:
Panoramic views of the Sandia Mountains.
Description:
The Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway offers panoramic views of the Sandia Mountains, reaching an elevation of 10,378 feet. It is wheelchair accessible and features a restaurant, TEN 3, with casual and fine dining options. The tram is open daily from October 4 to 14, weather dependent, with expected wait times during Balloon Fiesta.
Where: Albuquerque | More Info: Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway Winter Activities
Albuquerque Museum Holiday Festivities
What to Expect:
Inclusive experiences for all visitors with accessible formats and accommodations.
Description:
The Albuquerque Museum offers a variety of holiday activities, including world-class exhibitions, educational classes, live performances, and docent-guided tours. The museum also features a historic Casa San Ysidro Gutierrez-Minge House, providing an immersive experience in art and history.
Where: Albuquerque | More Info: Albuquerque Museum Holiday Festivities
Christmas on the Pecos
What to Expect:
20-minute train journey along the Pecos River.
Description:
Christmas on the Pecos offers a unique holiday experience with a 16-passenger train ride along the Pecos River, festive attractions, and lodging options.
Where: Carlsbad | More Info: Christmas on the Pecos
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- South Valley (5 miles)
- Enchanted Hills (18 miles)